Given // Jelena

Chapter 24 // Part One/Two

Justin's P. O. V.

I don't understand anything. I clench my hands into fists in hopes that they'd stop trembling. Did i do something wrong? Yes,  I must have done something. Only if i knew what it was.

Her low cries-- sobs fight their way through the door. I can hear her clearly and it makes my ears want to bleed. My heart aches and all i want to do is rush back at her side. I want to pull her onto my lap, cradle and rock her. Yes, just like a baby. Because she's my baby.

But she told me to leave. She said she didn't want me near her. It's all my fault. . . I did something wrong.

I should of been more careful. More gentle. More sweeter. I should of done it all at her pace. I believe i didn't. . . Therefore it's my fault.

I want to tell her everything is alright. That I will always be here for her. I want her to know she'll always have me. And I'll always love her. . . Oh, how much i love her.

I slide down the door of my room. My head throbs in response to her cries. My chest hurts as well. Everything hurts. I don't want her to be sad. . . scared. I don't want her to cry.

Instead of her sobbings I'd love to replace it with her beautiful laughter. Her contagious laughter. I know she thinks her laugh is loud and annoying but i dont. I think her laughter is the most amazing sound in the world. Just hearing it makes me happy.

Now, all i hear is her cries. Is it possibly a cry for help? Does she want me to rush back to her side and reassure her everything is alright? No. . . If she wanted that, she wouldn't have begged me to leave her alone.

Maybe she realised in that moment how she got here. Maybe she realised. . . She doesn't love me at all. That was probably it. She's just pretending because she doesn't want to be sold. No. No. She wouldn't do that. And even so, that doesn't change that fact that i love her. I said i would never let her go. I am keeping my word.

Tears tickle and poke at my eye. I'm quick to wipe away the tears before they even get a chance to reach my cheek. WHAT DID I DO WRONG?!

Did i throw myself upon her to fiercely ? Did my mother pressure her?

"I'm sorry," i whisper to her, even though she probably didn't hear.

"Justin!" I hear my mom shout from downstairs.

I dry my eyes and quickly jump to my feet. My face feels hot but i hope i don't look like I've cried. I slowly make my way down our long stairs and into the kitchen.

I look up and stop. My mom isn't alone. "Stacy?" i ask the lady sitting at our kitchen table.

"Justin!" She jumps up and into my arms.

My eyebrows and mouth fall in confusion. "Stacy?" i reask, dumbfounded.

"The best." She giggles and flips her bright red hair over her shoulder.

"What. . . What are you doing here?" i ask her.

"I came to visit you, silly. Oh, and business!" she shouts for everything.

"Oh? Business?"

I look over to my mom, who has an irritated expression. She despises Stacy. Not only is Stacy annoying and mean but she works for my dad. Meaning, she helps steal, buy and sell girls, she's just like my dad. And she was also the one who stold my mom.

"Yes, little birdy!" she laughs. "And guess who's coming with us?"

"My dad?" i ask, unsure.

"No, well,  yes but someone else," she giggles. "You are!"